A rocky ridge and a valley basin of eroded shale define the setting of Saint-Antonin, which lies at an altitude of 800 metres. The village also offers beautiful views, a very well-preserved washhouse and a history with medieval chapters. Hiking trails for beginners and experienced hikers, as well as a cycling route, give you some practical points to consider if you are thinking of visiting Saint-Antonin.

Elevation and Landscape

The village offers beautiful views. Its elevation and rocky ridge shape the landscape, while the valley basin of eroded shale adds a geological perspective. In the “Villes et villages étoilés” competition, Saint-Antonin was listed among the one-star municipalities in 2025. Alongside the landscape, the award—with its date—and the village’s history may also be of interest during your stay.

The Village’s History in Several Stages

The first written mention of Saint-Antonin dates from 1091 and refers to a church of the same name. A fortified settlement called Saint-Antonin is mentioned in the first half of the 13th century. A village was built beside it, but fell into decline towards the end of the Middle Ages; in 1438, Saint-Antonin was declared uninhabited. These dates mark different stages: the church appears in the earliest written reference, while the fortified settlement and the village built beside it belong to later periods.

The village’s heritage includes a very well-preserved washhouse. A medieval castle with a keep is also located in the area around Saint-Antonin. These represent two different geographical contexts: a feature within the village and a historic building in the surrounding area. A keep is the fortified main tower of a medieval castle.

Hiking and Cycling

Saint-Antonin is the starting point for numerous hiking trails, with routes for both beginners and experienced hikers. The difficulty of each route is therefore a useful guide when choosing. Check the route details before setting out. For cycling, the Boucle d’Azur “Entre Var et Estéron” connects Puget-Théniers, La Penne and Saint-Antonin. When comparing your options, you can look at different features: the experience level required for the hiking trails, and the connection between these three places for the cycling route.

Local Producers and Markets

In Saint-Antonin, you can visit local producers directly at their farms or at the many local markets. If you plan to visit a particular producer, check their availability beforehand. Markets offer another way to include local producers in your stay. This adds a culinary aspect to the hiking and history themes, while it is worth enquiring in advance before visiting a specific farm.

Discover more destinations: Rimplas, Andon, Roure, Coursegoules, Clans, Châteauneuf-Grasse, Magagnosc, Saint-Auban

For the wider travel overview: Alpes-Maritimes.